Assessing the effects of factors that might underlie the differential perception of acquaintance and stranger rape

Johnson, James D.; Jackson, Lee Anderson

doi:10.1007/bf00292462

Cited by 48 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Robust predictors of culpability attributions toward sexual assault victims identified in the literature include gender, perceived similarity to a victim, empathy, and rape myth acceptance. Specifically, attribution studies consistently have shown that men attribute greater culpability to sexual assault victims than women; men also have been found to attribute less culpability to perpetrators (Bridges and McGrail 1989;Brown and Testa 2008;Gerdes et al 1988;Johnson and Jackson 1988;Maurer and Robinson 2008;Schneider et al 2009;Selby et al 1977;Workman and Freeburg 1999). Regarding perceptions of similarity, extant studies have demonstrated that perceivers who rate themselves more similar to sexual assault victims attribute less culpability to victims for their assaults (e.g., Amacker and Littleton 2010;Bell et al 1994;Dexter et al 1997;Feldman et al 1998;Grubb and Harrower 2008;Mason et al 2004;Workman and Freeburg 1999).…”

Section: Established Predictorsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Sexual Victimization History and Perceived Similarity to a Sexual Assault Victim: A Path Model of Perceiver Variables Predicting Victim Culpability Attributions

2010

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Extant research consistently has shown that culpability attributions toward sexual assault victims are predicted by perceiver gender, perceived similarity to victims, empathy for victims, and rape myth acceptance. The purpose of the present study was to conceptually organize these predictors, which often have been treated disparately in literature. The present sample was composed of 69 female undergraduate students, recruited from a psychology research pool at a university in the southwestern United States. Results of a path analysis demonstrated strong empirical support for a hypothesized causal model linking perceivers' sexual victimization histories and, in turn, perceptions of similarity to a sexual assault victim based upon these histories, to established predictors of perceivers' culpability attributions toward sexual assault victims. Basic and applied research implications are discussed.

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Section: Established Predictorsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Sexual Victimization History and Perceived Similarity to a Sexual Assault Victim: A Path Model of Perceiver Variables Predicting Victim Culpability Attributions

2010

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“…Although some have found no sex differences (Acock & Ireland, 1983), the majority has found that women respond differently to victims than do men. When compared with women, men indicate to a higher degree that victims want to have sex (Jenkins & Dambrot, 1987;Johnson, 1995;Proite, 1990;Proite, Dannells, & Benton, 1993;Workman & Orr, 1996), did "something" that led the perpetrator on (Johnson, 1995;Stacy, Prisbell, & Tollefsrud, 1992;Workman & Orr, 1996), and are responsible for the rape 3 (DeLamarter & Westervelt, 1992;Foley, Evancic, Karnik, King, & Parks, 1995;Johnson & Jackson, 1988;Lewis & Johnson, 1989;Proite et al, 1993;Stacy et al, 1992;Thornton, Ryckman, & Robbins, 1982;Workman & Orr, 1996). Men are less likely to consider the assault rape (Foley et al, 1995;Jenkins & Dambrot, 1987;McLendon et al, 1994;Workman & Orr, 1996), to believe the rape was not "justified" (Muehlenhard, 1988b), and to indicate the incident should be reported to the authorities (Foley et al, 1995;McLendon et al, 1994) than are women.…”

Section: Sex Differences In Perceptions Of Rape Victimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Clothing and Behavior on Perceptions Concerning an Alleged Date Rape

Johnson

Lee

2000

Family & Consum Sci Res J

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The use of schemata in social cognition was the theoretical framework for this quasiexperimental study that investigated the relative effect of clothing, behavior, and participants' sex on perceptions surrounding an alleged date rape. A convenience sample of 368 individuals (men = 160, women = 208) read vignettes that manipulated the independent variables in a description of a date. After reading the vignettes, participants responded on Likert‐type scales to questions measuring their perceptions, including whether or not a rape had occurred. Participants were asked to provide reasons for each of their responses. Data were analyzed by using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs), analyses of variance (ANOVAs), and qualitative techniques. Although the victim's clothing did not result in significant differences, the victim's behavior and participant's sex were statistically significant influences on participants' perceptions.

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“…There is considerable evidence for general sex differences in judgements. Several studies have reported that females attribute less responsibility to a rape victim than do males (Brekke & Borgida, 1988;Calhoun et a/., 1976;Cann et a/., 1979;Deitz et a/., 1984;Edmonds & Cahoon, 1986;Gerdes et af., 1988;Gilmartin-Zena, 1983;Johnson &Jackson, 1988;Johnson et a/., 1989;Kanekar & Kolsawalla, 1977, 1980Kanekar & Nazareth, 1988;Kleinke & Meyer, 1990;Luginbuhl & Mullin, 1981;Selby, Calhoun & Brock, 1977), although others have reported no sex differences (Acock & Ireland, 1983;Calhoun, Cann, Selby & Magee, 1981;Check & Malamuth, 1984;Feldman-Summers & Lindner, 1976;Jones & Aronson, 1973;Krahe, 1988;L'Armand & Pepitone, 1982;Paulsen, 1979;Yarmey, 1985a). Several other studies, particularly those looking at victim resistance, have found inconsistent differences across conditions.…”

Section: Subject Differences In Attributionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Judgements about victims and attackers in depicted rapes: A review

Pollard¹

1992

British J Social Psychol

197

202

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This paper reviews the effects on subjects' judgements of a variety of factors that have been included in experimental depictions of rape. The focus is on attribution of responsibility or fault to the victim or attacker and related judgements, particularly regarding guilt and sanctions. Generally, females make more pro-victim judgements than do males, and people with non-traditional sex-role attitudes make more pro-victim judgements than do holders of more traditional views. Other factors covered are various victim characteristics, victim-attacker acquaintance, resistance, and victim attire and a range of behaviours prior to the attack. These are limits to generalization due to populations studied and methods used, and the observed effects of several factors are either minimal or inconsistent. However, some factors have reliable effects on judgements, which it is argued are explainable in terms of their link with traditional beliefs about women's rights and roles. Males have often been found to be more susceptible to these effects. In particular, it appears that if a female engages in any behaviour deemed to be 'incautious' that results in victimization then she may be perceived to be at fault, even though these behaviours would be 'legitimate' for males, and that prior romantic involvement with the attacker mitigates the perceived seriousness of, and may even be seen as supplying justification for, a sexual attack. The existence of these attitudes implies that rape may be tacitly condoned in many situations.

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Assessing the effects of factors that might underlie the differential perception of acquaintance and stranger rape

Cited by 48 publications

References 15 publications

Sexual Victimization History and Perceived Similarity to a Sexual Assault Victim: A Path Model of Perceiver Variables Predicting Victim Culpability Attributions

Sexual Victimization History and Perceived Similarity to a Sexual Assault Victim: A Path Model of Perceiver Variables Predicting Victim Culpability Attributions

Effects of Clothing and Behavior on Perceptions Concerning an Alleged Date Rape

Judgements about victims and attackers in depicted rapes: A review

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